FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Temperature Sensor (Gauge): Description and Operation

The water temperature indicator sender unit has the following features:
- Resistance is high when the engine coolant temperature is low, and low when the engine coolant temperature is high.
- The pointer of the magnetic engine coolant temperature gauge remains in position when ignition switch is turned to the OFF position.
- Pointer will move to the correct indication whenever the ignition switch is turned back to RUN position.
- Pointer may indicate at the top of the normal band with the engine coolant temperature within specification, under certain driving conditions such as heavy traffic or stop-and-go driving in hot weather.
- It is mounted into the engine intake manifold.
- As the engine coolant temperature increases, the water temperature indicator sender unit resistance decreases. When engine coolant temperature decreases, the water temperature indicator sender unit resistance increases.